Give thanks by giving blood at the 30th annual Black Friday Blood Drive

Dubuque, Iowa - The American Red Cross and Radio Dubuque invite community members to give thanks by giving blood at the 30th annual Black Friday Blood Drive on Friday, Nov. 25 from 6:30 a.m. to noon at the American Red Cross Dubuque Blood Donation Center, 2400 Asbury Road. Everyone who attempts to help save lives will receive a coupon for a free pint of Culvers Custard and a slice of pie, courtesy of Villiage Inn.

“Those who take time out during the busy holiday season to help a stranger in need truly are heroes,” said Caleb Goodness, donor recruitment account manager for the American Red Cross Badger-Hawkeye Blood Services Region. “Patients do not get a holiday from needing blood and platelets.”

The need is constant and blood and platelet donations tend to decline between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day when people become busy with the holiday festivities. The Red Cross and Radio Dubuque encourage you to join us to continue the 30-year tradition to help give hospital patients an opportunity to spend another holiday with their loved ones.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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